Futura (12A)

Directed by Pietro Marcello, Francesco Munzi and Alice Rohrwacher 

★★★

IN THE words of the great Whitney Houston “children are our future” and so in this ambitious film Italian youngsters voice how they see theirs, painting an insightful portrait of their country. 

Three of Italy’s most acclaimed film-makers Pietro Marcello, Francesco Munzi and Alice Rohrwacher teamed up to embark on a road trip fact-finding mission across Italy in early 2020 to interview a diverse cross section of young people between the ages of 15-20. They asked them “what is the future for you?”

The answers are surprisingly comprehensive and frank while enlightening and somewhat heartbreaking. Travelling from Naples to Milan, Turin to Palermo, Rome, Venice and other places, the directors spoke to aspiring beauticians, football players, boxers, mechanics as well academics and activists amongst others. 

As they discuss their fears, anxieties and aspirations many feel they have no future in Italy and they will be forced to go abroad to follow their dreams. Others believe the politicians aren’t interested in young people or their needs as they seem more preoccupied with pensions and immigration.

One environmentally conscious young lad revealed he wanted to become an entrepreneur and invest in renewable and all the things that would help the planet. While some youngsters were desperate to leave the country the film shows others who have travelled across nations to come to Italy to live their dream life.

This fascinating documentary which was shot before and during the pandemic slowly captures the growing despair and anxiety in Italy’s youth with the onset of Covid and the never-ending restrictions as the hope and light in their eyes began to be snuffed out. The film-makers describe the film as becoming “the diary of a plagued mood.” 

It is a heat-wrenching snapshot of the Italian nation and its youth and one that is probably being experienced in other countries as the long suffering effects of the pandemic and the lockdowns continue to be felt certainly among the young.

Maria Duarte 

Out in cinemas July 8